The article addresses a viral rumor circulating on social media about Muslims allegedly praying in the streets near the Vatican, with claims that they caused street closures in Rome. The context of these claims heightened tensions and were interpreted as provocative against European identity, particularly amidst the onset of Ramadan. Certain social media posts drew comparisons to praying near the Kaaba in Mecca, framing it as a symbolic challenge to European values.

Through the investigative efforts of Al Jazeera's open-source unit, it was determined that the images and videos in question were actually from an Eid al-Fitr prayer event that took place in 2024, rather than being recent events. This debunking clarifies the historical nature of the footage and dispels the current narrative linking Muslims' street prayers in Europe with ongoing cultural tensions.

The spread of such misinformation underscores the trend of increased visibility of Muslim-related content during Ramadan, with a notable rise in both positive and negative portrayals. The article emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing the sources and context of viral content, especially when it can contribute to exacerbating societal divides, particularly against a backdrop of growing Islamophobia in Europe and elsewhere.